Hillsborough Libraries Terminate Overdue Fines

TAMPA, FL – Starting in the new year, people who keep books and other materials past when they’re due back to the Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative will no longer face fines.

Late fees currently range from 20 cents per day for books, magazines, DVDs, audiobooks and CDs to $1 per day for ukulele kits and realia. Now, instead of paying fines, Hillsborough County residents will have their borrowing privileges suspended until items are returned.

The change is more in line with the library’s mission to focus on open access to information, according to the library system’s website. Also, according to library officials, it costs more to process fines than the amount of fees collected.

Current checkout loan periods will not change: 21 days for books, magazines, audiobooks, CDs, ukulele kits and realia; and seven days for DVDs. The grace period – the time between an item’s due date and the start of the no-borrowing penalty – will be eight days.

Any fines posted to a cardholder’s account before Monday, Jan. 1 will remain. Library patrons still will be charged for damaged or lost materials.

Details about the new policy are available at http://www.hcplc.org/hcplc/pr/bringitback.html.

Image via Hillsborough County Government website